September 19, 2003       Funeral for Mother.        John 14

by Ronald E. George Jr. 

Intro:  Everyone of us preach our own funeral said by Ode Coombs.  We all preach our funeral by the things we do in this life.  As the tree falls, so shall it lay. 

 

Eccl 7:1  A good name [is] better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. 2 [It is] better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that [is] the end of all men; and the living will lay [it] to his heart. 3 Sorrow [is] better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.  4 The heart of the wise [is] in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools [is] in the house of mirth. 5 [It is] better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so [is] the laughter of the fool: this also [is] vanity.

 

1.       God has a purpose:  God’s purpose is to spend eternity with his beloved.  Even though this life is full of trouble, trials, and tribulation, his plan will be to our benefit.  Because we believe in the Lord as our God then we have become his children.  As this mother cared for her children then he cares for us.  He says to believe in God and believe in him for he is God.

 

Psal 116:1 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live. 3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. 5 Gracious [is] the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God [is] merciful. 6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. 7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. 8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, [and] my feet from falling. 9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. 10 I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: 11 I said in my haste, All men [are] liars. 12 What shall I render unto the LORD [for] all his benefits toward me? 13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. 14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death of his saints. 16 O LORD, truly I [am] thy servant; I [am] thy servant, [and] the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. 17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. 18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people, 19 In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD. 

 

2.  God has a plan:  God’s plan is to allow us the choice to be with Him forever.  He created the man and the woman in the garden and walked with them daily.  But he also planted a tree there that represented their choice to follow him or to reject him.  Mother has created for us a home to grow in then she gave us the choice as God.  We had to leave to begin our own place for our children to grow. Slowly but surely he reveals his plan of life to us.  So he is now creating us a place to stay

 

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.  4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.  5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?  6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

3.  God has a promise.  God’s promise is to be our shepherd forever.  Let the Lord love you throughout this life into the life to come. Then he comes to get us one by one until all is full.  Richard wrote a note to his mom some fifty years ago.  He said that he had gone to town, but he would be back.  Now the Lord has said that he would be back.  Also, we know that our loved ones who die in the Lord will be back with us at the resurrection.  

 

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: {power: or, the right, or, privilege}